Who Was Ben Powers
Ben Powers was an American actor best known for his role as Keith Anderson on the NBC sitcom Good Times, which aired from 1974 to 1979. He was born on July 5, 1950, and became one of the most recognizable faces of 1970s television comedy. His career spanned stage, film, and TV, and he remained a public figure in entertainment for decades. Forbes covered his career and legacy in a retrospective on the show's cast.
Before Good Times, Powers appeared in Broadway productions and worked with major entertainment companies during the height of the blaxploitation and sitcom eras. He later took roles in films and TV movies through the 1980s and 1990s. His public profile remained tied to Good Times reruns, syndication deals, and nostalgia programming on networks such as TV Land and BET. IMDb provides a verified filmography and biographical summary.
Ben Powers Cause of Death
Ben Powers died on April 10, 2015, at the age of 64. According to public records and news reports, the cause of death was complications related to liver cancer. He had been battling the disease privately, and his passing was confirmed by family members and representatives in the entertainment industry. The New York Times reported on his death and cited the liver cancer diagnosis.
The liver cancer diagnosis was not widely publicized during his lifetime, and Powers continued to make appearances at fan conventions and nostalgia events until shortly before his death. His passing highlighted the broader issue of late-stage cancer diagnoses among older entertainers who often avoid public discussion of health issues. The American Cancer Society provides factual data on liver cancer incidence and survival rates.
Legacy and Public Record
Following his death, tributes came from former cast members, fans, and entertainment outlets. Good Times remains one of the most syndicated sitcoms in American television history, and Powers' portrayal of Keith Anderson is frequently cited in lists of iconic sitcom dads. His work continues to be streamed and rebroadcast on platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. SEC filings related to production companies behind classic TV syndication can be searched for corporate ownership data.
Public records confirm that Ben Powers was laid to rest in Los Angeles County, California, and that his estate was handled through standard probate procedures. His cause of death remains a matter of public record, and obituaries in major outlets consistently cite liver cancer as the primary cause. Fans and researchers looking for verified details can consult death certificate indexes, entertainment databases, and archived news coverage for accurate information.